Assistant Business Manager

UK Health Security Agency; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A health security organization based in London is seeking a proactive individual for a business support role. The position involves contract management, supporting laboratory operations, and providing administrative assistance. Candidates should hold a relevant degree or equivalent experience and have strong communication and organizational skills. The role offers a hybrid working model, requiring 60% of hours on-site, alongside a range of benefits including a pension scheme and flexible working conditions.

Benefits

Defined Benefit pension scheme

Flexible working patterns

Retail discounts and cashback

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a business support role.
• Experience managing and motivating a team is essential.
• Strong computer skills with spreadsheets, databases, and word processing.

Responsibilities

• Provide support on contract management and business operations.
• Assist in the establishment of monitoring systems and agreements.
• Support with monthly NHS invoicing and customer inquiries.

Skills

Business and management skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Computer literacy

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Business, Finance, HR, Marketing, Economics

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a proactive individual who can demonstrate professionalism and effective business management and communication skills; as well as the ability to work flexibly and efficiently in a demanding environment. Candidates should be educated to degree level in relevant subjects or equivalent level qualification or should have significant experience of working at a similar level. This is a site based role with occasional requirements to travel nationally for face to face meetings for example at Colindale London.

Responsibilities

• Provide support on contract and agreement matters, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring to the laboratory management team and members of the divisional office.
• Ensure Specialist Microbiology Services Network Managers and Laboratory Management receive appropriate contract management, business operations and diagnostic output monitoring support; this involves working closely with the Microbiology Network Managers and Laboratory Management Teams in the provision of appropriate information.
• To support the production of contracts, activity reports, diagnostic outputs and business reporting and support the maintenance of a monitoring systems and agreements databases.
• Support ensuring those NHS contracts and reports submitted for review are compatible with the standard NHS contract clauses and strategic objectives and highlight issues including financial, safety and quality impacts.
• Provide information and support to the SMS Operations lead on all aspects of activity data including data collection and validation relating to regular outputs such as the regional activity indicators, and monitoring and analysis of such data.
• Assist the Head of Operations in the establishment and maintenance of robust systems and processes for administration, risk management and business support across the division.
• Assist the Head of Operations lead in undertaking any necessary analysis of financial and management information in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.
• Comment on, propose changes and support in the implementation of policies and procedures used by the laboratory (in relation to Business Management).
• Support for the monthly invoicing of NHS contracted work for NHS customers.
• Respond to internal and external customer inquiries/ problems regarding invoicing.
• To keep up to date on developments within UKHSA and to identify and assess and inform the Specialist Microbiology Services Network Managers and the SMS Operations lead about developments in the NHS and Public Health Community.
• Assist in the development of business cases submitted to the SMS Divisional Office.
• Provide general administrative and financial support to the Laboratory Office.
• Attend key operational meetings.
• Any other tasks commensurate with the grading and duties of this post.
• Provide the development of business intelligence to monitor Laboratory activity.
• Provide other support and tasks to the Regional Head of Operations, At sift stage you will be assessed against the 15 essential criteria listed in the job advert.

Application Process

• Application form: “Employer/ Activity history” section on the application.
• Up to 1250‑word Statement of Suitability outlining how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of suitability for the role.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject (e.g. Business, Finance, HR, Marketing, Economics) or significant experience of working in a business support role.
• Experience of managing and motivating a team.
• High levels of energy, initiative and persistence.
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others.
• Strong computer literacy, including the development and use of spreadsheet applications, databases and word‑processing.
• Good communication skills to people at all levels either on a one-to-one basis or to groups.
• Good written communication skills – e.g. ability to draft policy/procedure documents, write reports/presentations and business cases.
• Dealing with documents and correspondence of a confidential and/or sensitive matter.
• Numerate.
• Good organisational skills and systematic approach to working.
• Sound analytical skills and good judgement when providing opinion or advice to others.
• Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in day-to-day working practices and in management systems.

Security & Vetting

• Successful candidates must pass a Counter‑Terrorism Check (CTC) disclosure and barring security check.
• Individuals must generally have lived in the UK for the last 3 years; may be exempt in exceptional circumstances.
• May require an International Police Check if more than 6 months spent abroad in the last 3 years.
• Internal Fraud Check will be carried out as part of pre‑employment screening.

Work Location & Hours

• Based at our laboratory in Colindale, London.
• Hybrid working model: expected to spend a minimum of 60% (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) of contractual hours at the site.

Benefits & Working Conditions

• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• Flexible working patterns – part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours.
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave package.
• Public holidays and one privilege day for King’s Birthday.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UKHSA is an inclusive employer who strives to create a diverse, equitable and respectful working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or background. All applicants are considered for positions on the basis of merit.